Heynckes: "Talks with Guardiola? Please respect me and my work!"

An annoyed Jupp Heynckes was blunt when probed as to whether he would be talking to Pep Guardiola, his successor at Bayern Munich, to help get ready for the Champions League semi-final tie against Barcelona.

"Please respect me and my work", Heynckes told the journalist who dared to ask the question.

"I've never consulted anyone or asked for advice. I do not need anyone to study an opponent", the coach snapped.

Bayern boss has admitted that Barcelona has held sway over European football in recent years, while pointing out that he posted some excellent results against the Catalan club when he managed in Spain.

"Bayern against Barcelona is a clash of giants. It will be a big challenge for us to play against the team that has so thrilled and dominated European football over the last four years, with its attractive, creative brand of football".

Heynckes added that he had a great record against Barcelona as a coach during his stint in Spain. "For example, I won at the Camp Nou twice with Athletic". "I'm looking forward to two magical nights of football", he concluded.

Meanwhile, the Bavarians' director of sport, Matthias Sammer, has revealed that Jupp Heynckes won't be seeking out the advice of Pep Guardiola, who is set to replace him at Bayern, about how to beat Barcelona.

"It is an ethical question. On the one hand, Jupp Heynckes is still the Bayern coach and Pep is only joining in the summer. On the other hand, it is a matter of respect", Sammer claimed. The former Dortmund midfielder also voiced his conviction that Bayern is capable of overcoming Barcelona in the semis.